estimand

noun

1. that which is being estimated.

   “Statistics needs a term like estimand to replace the lengthy phrase independent variable.”

   “We speak of the estimator's target as an estimand (as something to be estimated) rather than just as a parameter.”

   “When doing causal inference in the competing events setting, it is critical to first ascertain the relevant question and the causal estimand that best answers it, with the choice often being between estimands that do and do not eliminate competing events.”